#mobiusff

“My friend! You’ll never guess what I managed to find in the Student archives!”

G’raha’s question was met with the irritated expression of someone who wanted to be out of bed but did not currently have the strength to do so.

“If you’re going to make me help you get things running again, I’m not in the mood,” Wol said flatly.

Ever since he’d awoken from his slumber, the Warrior of Hope had been curt with word and rather short of temper. He seemed to have something on his mind, but his desire to get up and move about seemed far more important to him than sitting still and talking.

Unfortunately for him, he was in no state to be on his feet for long. Having only just awakened, his body wasn’t prepared for the amount of movement Wol was hoping for. Which left him wide awake, forced to bed, and frustrated.

G’raha only hoped that in this moment, he had brought something that would help hold Wol’s attention and make him feel less confined.

Even if Ameliance’s guest room was a nice place to be.

“That is not what I am here for,” G’raha assured him. “I simply thought you might like some reading material.” He walked over, carrying the stack of papers and tomes and dropped them on the side table next to Wol’s bed. Thankfully, someone had removed the stack of well-wishes and moved them to another part of the room, so there was more than enough space.

Wol frowned at the pile like it was going to insult him.

“It seems your research on relic weaponry survived the incident at the Isle of Val.” G’raha put a hand on the stack. “I am aware you may not be…as interested in your research as you might have been before your ordeals, but I thought some reading material might help pass the time a little.”

“Least you’re not asking me to sort through your work for you,” Wol muttered.

“You just saved multiple worlds from a being of despair at the edge of the entire universe,” G’raha replied, taking Wol’s words in stride. Any man used to being active would be frustrated at being confined to bed. “Asking you to work whilst recovering would be counter to our desire to see you on your feet again.”

“Yeah, yeah….” Wol glowered at the pile of papers on the side table.

“I’ve left a writing utensil if you feel a need to correct anything you read,” G’raha added.

The glowering frown was moved from the papers to G’raha. Something about the look in Wol’s face made G’raha wonder if he was going to throw the stack against the wall instead.

Wol’s glowing frown shifted. He looked like he was almost going to demand something. What came out instead was a heavy sigh as he shook his head. “It’s — fine. Fine.” He fell back against the pillows and glared up at the ceiling. “What I wouldn’t give for a target dummy and a sword right now.”

G’raha let the stress of Wol’s glare leave him in a burst of a breathy laugh. “I understand the desire to keep moving, but you need to know to give your body rest as well. But that does not mean you can’t be productive in your own way. If Asher’s work does not interest you, ask for one of us to make a run to the Noumenon. I would not be against fetching something else.”

Wol’s expression twitched again. “I’ll think about it.”

The reaction brought a frown to G’raha’s face. “…is there something on your mind, Wol?”

Another twitch. “Tell you later. When I can actually get up.”

Clearly, Wol wasn’t eager to reveal his thoughts. “Very well. You know how to reach me when you are prepared to talk.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Wol kept staring at the ceiling, frowning.

G’raha waited a moment, then nodded and stepped out of the room.

Whatever it was on Wol’s mind, he would say something eventually.